Danda 1995 - Suhotra Maharaja Archives

I have no idea. I think I heard that vasudeva actually expands from Krsna – butI am not confident about it. Please help.Answer by Suhotra SwamiSeptember 24, 1995The point to understand is not that Balarama is the original source of thecatur-vyuha, but that Balarama is the power by which the vyuha expands.Balarama is Lord Krsna's own power, appearing as His brother. Balarama'sservice to Krsna is to make all arrangements for the expansion of His pastimes.Krsna is always the original source.RIGHT OR LEFT EAR?Question from Bhakta Jan MaresSeptember 20, 1995SB 4.25.50-51p. states that right ear (Pitrhu) is `meant' for fruitiveactivities and left ear (Devahu) for spiritual activities like initiation byGayatri mantra. On the other hand, Srila Prabhupada many times says that Gayatrimantra should be uttered into the right ear of the disciple.Could you please clarify this subject?Answer by Suhotra SwamiJanuary 21, 1995When the guru and disciple are both facing East, then the mantra is given in theleft ear. When they are both facing each other then the guru gives the mantra inthe right ear. Some Paddhatis (rule books) say the guru and disciple should faceEast, some say face each other.PRETASQuestion from Vrajendra Kumara dasSeptember 25, 1995Your Holiness, can you please explain why in S.B.2.6.43-45 dead bodies (pretas)are listed amongst living beings possessed of power,opulence etc. What does itmean? Are they some kind of zombies or what?Answer by Suhotra SwamiSeptember 25, 1995Preta means a departed anscestor who did not become a pitri (forefather on thePitriloka). He became a ghost instead. Sometimes pretas move about in deadbodies. There's an interesting story about that in Sanskrit literature.Anyway, preta-dosa (the state of being haunted by a preta) proves the power ofghosts. They are mysterious entities, and men not only fear their power buteven worship them. That power that is feared and worshiped also represents LordKrsna's opulence.Comment by Dadhibhaksa dasSeptember 26, 1995Where we can find this interesting story about pretas in sastras?